Broadcast museum's $2.7 million grant could open doors at last

(Crain's) — The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today that it has received the financial support it needs to finally open its new facility after being stalled for the past seven years.

Comcast Corp., NBC News and WMAQ-TV/Channel 5 have agreed to make $2.7 million worth of in-kind contributions and financial donations to help the non-profit museum open later this year. The historical museum, which moved out of the Chicago Cultural Center in 2003, wants to preserve television content and educate the public.

In exchange for the donation, the main presentation area will be named the Comcast NBCUniversal Center. It will be used for public programs as well as educational sessions for Chicago Public School students.

Donations include up to $500,000 worth of 30-second commercials that will air every year for the next five years to help promote the museum. NBC News and Channel 5 will also lend historical items and pieces for displays. NBC News had already given $200,000 to help construct the center.

The 62,000-square-foot museum has been under construction at the corner of State and Kinzie streets for at least seven years. The beleaguered museum was originally to open in 2005, but that was delayed due to a lack of state funding. Construction was halted in 2006 after former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich failed to deliver state funds that he had pledged to the museum.

Gov. Pat Quinn said in 2010 that the state would give a $6 million grant to help complete the museum.